A Look Back at Stateside
We have safely made it back to Madagascar and are adjusting to African life one again. Now that we are getting settled in, I wanted to give an update of our four months in the America. Overall, it was a restful and fulfilling trip. We tried to make the most of every day, while at the same time not becoming too busy. It's a hard balance! Here are some of the highlights from our stateside time...
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| Waller and Roberts Kiddos |
The Roberts family came and visited us in Florida for a week. It was strange to be with them in America instead of Madagascar! We had a great week together and spent the days hanging out at the beach, zoo, parks, movies and catching up. This family is so special to us and returning to Madagascar without them is heartbreaking!!
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| Happy Birthday Titus! |
Titus and Eli both had birthdays. Having a birthday in the States was a lot of fun for these kids. Titus spent his 3rd birthday at a jump house play center. Ironically, his brothers had a blast but Titus was too scared to even get in! Fortunately, he loved his Mickey Mouse birthday party afterwards.
Eli turned 8(!) this year. We were able to celebrate his birthday with our extended family up in the mountains. Eight looks good on this kid!
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| Grandpa and Eli at a Tampa Bay baseball game |
The best part of being in the states was getting to spend lots of quality time with Grandpa and Grandma. Partially because they are so wonderful...and partially because they spoil us rotten!
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| Boating with Grandpa |
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| Titus at Dollywood |
In June, my whole family met up in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for a family vacation. We rented a beautiful cabin that held all of us (8 adults and 9 kids)! We had a blast spending our days touring the area, driving through the mountains, and hanging out at Dollywood or one of the 100 other fun attractions there.
When we got home, we celebrated the 4th of July with the family. The kids were amazed by the fireworks! We were just excited to be able to celebrate Independence Day in the US for the first time in 6 years!
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| Our Firecracker |
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| In New Orleans with Nickolee |
In July, our family of 5 made a three week trip around the south and east coast to see many of our friends and family. During that time we stopped in Alabama, Mississippi, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
During our trip we were able to visit the Roberts in Mississippi. Nickolee and I took the opportunity to take a short girl's trip to New Orleans. We took advantage of some much needed girl's time!
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| Ward, Alabama |
In Alabama, we visited Grant's family and even went to visit an old town the Grant family (where Grant got his name from) use to own. Then, we headed to the Space Museum in Huntsville. It doesn't get much better than playing in spaceships for these three little boys!
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| In West Virginia with the Marr Family |
In West Virginia, we visited our long time seminary friends. Despite a bad fall by Jude, those days were some of the most relaxing and encouraging of our stateside. What a special blessing this family has been to us!
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| Eli and Anna at Hope Reins |
Rallying the troops back into the car, we headed south to North Carolina, where we visited lots of friends that have become like family to us over the years. We made the most of every minute while we were there, but still left wishing we could have stayed longer!
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| Lake Gaston with the Hensarlings |
We decided to spend a few nights at a nearby lake in a gorgeous lake house a friend generously loaned to all of us. Vacations with kids are hard. Really hard. But getting to do something like this with a family like theirs made all the difference. We had a blast, and I am pretty sure we could have all stayed there forever.
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| Patriots Point |
On our way home we stopped at Patriot's Point in Charleston, SC. Our boys love touring the ships and it brings back such joy for me and Grant. I grew up in the Army until I married Grant who was in the Navy. I lived and breathed red, white and blue until we moved oversees as missionaries. There was no better way for us to end our tour of the states!
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| Mom and I at Marco Island |
As our time in the states drew to an end, I planned a special get away for me and my mom. We spent a weekend at Marco Island, spoiling and pampering ourselves on the beach, at the spa, and by the pool. My mom is my best friend, and I wanted to soak up every minute I could get with her!
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| Tampa Airport |
Then came the dreaded departure day. If you have done this before, you know how awful it is. I am pretty sure there are not too many things that feel worse than saying goodbye to family. And surprisingly, every time we have to leave each other it gets harder. You would think it would get easier, that we would become accustomed to saying goodbye. But instead, the older we get the more we realize how precious time is and the more we feel the loss of missing out on it. Please pray for us during this time of transition. Pray for our hearts to find peace and comfort in the One who has called us. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139: 9-10
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